Audit Cites Abuse

Rules Aimed At Independent Pay Phone Companies

August 17, 1993

The results of a state audit of independent pay phones are shocking. Non-compliance with state regulations was the rule, not the exception. Every phone inspected violated more than one regulation, according to the State Corporation Commission.

None of the pay phones was owned by local telephone companies, such as C&P or GTE. The independents, however, violated rules on charges, access to local operators and provision of consumer information. Perhaps most shocking, one in eight pay phones wouldn't let a caller dial 911 without first depositing a coin.

One would have hoped that the competition provided by independent pay phone companies would have led to improved service, but the state audit suggests something entirely different. The independents seem to have escaped the tougher scrutiny applied to pay phones owned by companies such as C&P.

Relief, however, may be on the way. The Pay Telephone Registration Act should eliminate the worst abuses now occurring. For example, SCC spokesperson Andrea Leeman says that when deadline for compliance with the new rules arrives, which is Jan. 1, all pay phones in areas with 911 service should permit callers to dial the emergency number without paying first.

The new law gives the SCC more authority over independent companies. For example, all privately owned pay phones will have to be registered with the SCC. They are not, now.

People should not have to worry about getting ripped off when they use a pay telephone. But that's exactly what's been happening. The new rules will be welcome. They are also overdue.